Isi segera jawatan Hakim Besar Malaya

Utusan Online

Oleh: NORILA DAUD

KUALA LUMPUR 27 Julai – Kerajaan diminta mengisi segera jawatan Hakim Besar Malaya yang dikosongkan selepas Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob bersara pada 5 Januari lalu.

Presiden Majlis Peguam Malaysia, Ambiga Sreenevasan berkata, sepatutnya kerajaan telah mempunyai calon untuk menggantikan tempat Siti Norma memandangkan kekosongan berlaku akibat persaraan dan bukannya peletakan jawatan.

Menurutnya, membiarkan jawatan penting itu kosong selama tujuh bulan agak terlalu lama.

‘‘Di England, jawatan berkenaan akan diisi sehari selepas persaraan seseorang hakim,’’ katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Kata Ambiga, mengikut Akta Mahkamah Kehakiman 1964, apabila terdapat sesuatu kekosongan, Ketua Hakim perlu melantik seorang Hakim Persekutuan bagi memegang jawatan Pemangku Ketua Hakim.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata, empat jawatan penting dalam bidang kehakiman negara termasuk Ketua Hakim Negara, Ketua Hakim Sabah/ Sarawak, Ketua Hakim Malaya dan Presiden Mahkamah Rayuan masing-masing mempunyai kebebasan tersendiri.

Menurut Ambiga, memandangkan keempat-empat jawatan itu adalah penting dan setiap satu mempunyai tanggungjawab yang berat, adalah sukar bagi seseorang memegang dua daripada empat jawatan tersebut.

Sementara itu, bekas Hakim Mahkamah Rayuan, Datuk Shaik Daud Md. Ismail menganggap tempoh kekosongan jawatan Hakim Besar Malaya itu adalah yang paling lama pernah terjadi.

Menurut Shaik Daud, kekosongan itu wajib diisi kerana ia melibatkan tanggungjawab berat dan penting.

‘‘Mungkin kerajaan mempunyai sebab-sebab tertentu dalam hal ini dan Ketua Hakim perlu memberi jawapannya,’’ katanya.

Menurut Shaik Daud, kerajaan sepatutnya awal-awal lagi mengenal pasti calon untuk mengisi kekosongan jawatan itu memandangkan Siti Norma bersara dan bukan meletakkan jawatan.

NUTP mahu guru lebih profesional tangani masalah

Berita Harian

Oleh Norliza Wasilan

KUALA LUMPUR: Kesatuan Perkhidmatan Perguruan Kebangsaan (NUTP) mahu guru muda tidak terlalu beremosi ketika mengendalikan masalah disiplin membabitkan pelajar hingga cenderung menjatuhkan hukuman di luar jangkaan.

Setiausaha Agungnya, Lok Yim Pheng, berkata guru berkenaan perlu profesional apabila menghadapi tekanan membabitkan disiplin pelajar supaya tindakan yang diambil tidak akan menjejaskan profesionalisme perguruan secara keseluruhan.

“Tidak dinafikan guru muda sekarang ada yang tidak sabar dan mahukan sesuatu perkara dengan cepat hingga kadang-kadang murid susah nak ikut.

“Kita juga perlu faham kerana kadangkala keadaan persekitaran sekolah boleh mendorong mereka bertindak seperti itu... sesuatu yang tidak dijangka (jatuhkan hukuman),” katanya dihubungi semalam.

Sebelum ini, akhbar melaporkan guru warden wanita Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bawang Assan, Sibu, Wee Yim Pien, 27, merendam 200 pelajar perempuan dalam kolam hampir sejam berikutan seorang daripada mereka enggan mengakui kesalahan membuang tuala wanita dalam mangkuk tandas.

Bagaimanapun, guru terbabit dibenarkan kembali bertugas kelmarin dan terlepas daripada dikenakan tindakan disiplin selepas memohon maaf kepada ibu bapa pelajar berkenaan, selain 60 pelajar yang menghantar petisyen memaafkannya.

Tindakan guru berkenaan mendapat liputan meluas apabila Pengerusi Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) sekolah berkenaan, Jimmy Kiu mendedahkan gambar kejadian kepada media.

Walaupun kebelakangan ini tindakan guru menjatuhkan hukuman luar jangkaan mendapat reaksi pelbagai pihak, Lok tetap mempertahankan guru secara keseluruhan kerana yang terbabit hanya segelintir.

Bagi mengelakkan kejadian sama berlaku, Lok berkata, guru muda perlu bijak menangani masalah membabitkan pelajar supaya golongan itu tidak menjadi sasaran kecaman.

Mustapa belum puas hati kemajuan SPRT

Berita Harian

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi tidak berpuas hati dengan kemajuan program kerjasama penyelidikan antara universiti tempatan dan luar negara, membabitkan kakitangan akademik universiti tempatan yang dihantar mengikuti Program Latihan Penyelidikan Split PhD (SPRT) di luar negara.

Menterinya, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, berkata sejak program SPRT dimulakan lebih dua tahun lalu, kementerian sudah menghantar 23 kakitangan akademik ke dua universiti di luar negara bertujuan memperluaskan ilmu dan memperkukuhkan program penyelidikan tempatan.

“Setakat ini, kemajuannya kurang membanggakan. Sebelum ini kita sudah hantar 16 kakitangan akademik ke Universiti Nottingham, United Kingdom dan tujuh ke Imperial College, London sejak memulakan kerjasama program ini pada 2005,” katanya di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata, kegagalan sebahagian besar kakitangan akademik tempatan memenuhi keperluan standard universiti antarabangsa yang bekerjasama dalam SPRT juga antara faktor menyumbang kurangnya pembabitan mereka dalam program berkenaan.

“Kita tidak memaksa pensyarah mengikuti program ini kerana mereka mungkin tidak berminat, tetapi semestinya kita amat menggalakkan dan mahu mereka pergi ke universiti antarabangsa yang terbaik dan kita beri mereka pilihan.

“Saya yakin jumlah pensyarah yang mengikuti program ini akan bertambah pada masa depan. Program ini adalah antara usaha kita untuk meningkatkan kelayakan pensyarah di institusi pengajian tinggi awam tempatan,” katanya sambil menambah SPRT juga selaras dasar pendidikan tinggi negara yang mahu menambah lebih ramai bilangan pensyarah memegang PhD.

Terdahulu, Mustapa menyaksikan majlis menandatangani memorandum persefahaman (MOU) kerjasama pembangunan kapasiti pendidikan tinggi Malaysia dan peningkatan kerjasama penyelidikan antara universiti awam tempatan dengan Universiti Melbourne, Australia.

Katanya, 30 kakitangan akademik kumpulan pertama dihantar mengikuti SPRT di Universiti Melbourne, Australia pada Februari depan, diikuti kumpulan kedua pada Ogos bagi memberi peluang pensyarah tempatan mengembangkan pengetahuan dan bertukar ilmu dalam bidang penyelidikan.

“Setakat ini, 12 permohonan sudah diterima dan ia mengambil sedikit masa untuk meluluskan pelbagai perkara termasuk visa mereka yang terpilih,” katanya sambil menambah pihaknya menumpukan kursus sains sosial dan kejuruteraan untuk SPRT kali ini.

IPG jadi pusat jurulatih sukan

Berita Harian

Oleh Anwar Hussin

Kementerian mahu Sekolah Sukan Negeri jadi pembekal atlit prestasi tinggi

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Pelajaran akan mengenal pasti sebuah Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) untuk dinaik taraf untuk menjadi pusat melahirkan jurulatih sukan berwibawa bagi kepentingan pembangunan sukan dan mempercepatkan usaha membentuk atlit negara bertaraf dunia.

Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, berkata kementeriannya sedang berbincang dengan bahagian pendidikan guru untuk mengenal pasti IPG yang sesuai untuk dijadikan perintis kepada projek pembangunan sukan.

“Kita mempunyai banyak IPG yang boleh dinaik taraf dan yang dipilih ini akan dikhususkan dengan pembangunan sukan bagi melahirkan jurulatih sukan berwibawa. Penukaran taraf ini juga memberi peluang kepada atlit lepasan sekolah melanjutkan pelajaran dan meneruskan pembabitan mereka dalam sukan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas merasmikan Program Memperkasa Sekolah Sukan, di Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil, di sini, semalam. Turut hadir Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Noh Omar.

Pada majlis itu, Hishammuddin turut mengumumkan pelantikan bekas Olahragawati Negara, Marina Chin, sebagai Pengetua Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil.

Selain itu, Hishammuddin berkata, antara perancangan masa depan untuk pembangunan sukan sekolah yang lebih menyeluruh adalah mewujudkan jawatan jurulatih sepenuh masa sebagai jawatan hakiki di sekolah, menaik taraf Sekolah Sukan Negeri supaya berfungsi sebagai ‘pembekal’ atlit prestasi tinggi kepada Sekolah Sukan Malaysia.

Katanya, kementerian juga akan menempatkan jurulatih bertauliah sepenuh masa di kalangan guru di semua Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah untuk membangunkan sukan prestasi tinggi di sekolah.

“Jika perancangan itu dibuat dengan teliti dan komprehensif, saya yakin kementerian akan berjaya mewujudkan budaya sukan di sekolah seterusnya mempercepatkan kelahiran lebih ramai atlit berwibawa,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, kementerian akan terus memikul tanggungjawab untuk melahirkan generasi pelajar berilmu, kritis, kreatif, sihat tubuh badan serta seimbang dari segi intelek, emosi, rohani serta jasmani.

Beliau berkata, sukan bukan sekadar pertandingan atau permainan tapi juga pentas untuk memupuk integrasi kaum dan memupuk semangat cintakan negara.

Katanya, tiga lagi sekolah Sukan Malaysia akan dibina sepanjang Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) iaitu Perlis, Pahang dan Sabah.

“Ia adalah untuk menampung keperluan pelajar sedia ada di Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil dan Sekolah Sukan Bandar Penawar, sekali gus memberi tumpuan kepada pembangunan sukan prestasi tinggi,” katanya.

Sementara itu, ketika mengulas soal disiplin pelajar, Hishammuddin menafikan dakwaan peningkatan kes disiplin sejak kebelakangan ini, berpunca daripada kegagalan pengajian agama dan moral di sekolah.

Action taken against civil servants who abused power

The Star

IPOH: Disciplinary action has been taken against 20 civil servants in Perak for abuse of power.

State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim, who revealed this, added that action included issuing warnings and cutting salaries.

“One of them is being tried in court as the case involves criminal activity,” he told reporters after launching the state-level Work Quality Upgrade Convention here yesterday.

Of the 21, nine were state officers while 12 were attached with federal departments.

The disciplinary matters had been pending since 2001 and there had been complaints that the state government was not acting promptly against the errant officials.

Dr Abdul Rahman said the disciplinary action against the 20 officers was completed by June 30.

State ACA director Samsiah Abu Bakar commended the state government for its action.

“The cases were pending for years. But when we brought them up, they were settled within months,” she said.

Two govt hospitals to adopt 'Full Paying Patient' concept

The Star

By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH

MUAR: Two government hospitals in the country will adopt the 'Full Paying Patient' concept to curb medical specialists from the government hospitals from joining the private sector.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the hospitals - the Selayang and the Putrajaya Hospitals - would begin accepting those who opted for the concept on Aug 1.

Speaking to reporters here he said the move was also aimed at getting back those specialists who had left government hospitals to serve in the private sector.

“We are losing about 50% or about 100 of our specialist doctors every year who resign to join the private hospitals.

“We hope this approach will enable the hospitals to allocate some additional incentives for the specialist doctors,” he said after visiting drainage and road projects in Bentayan on Thursday.

Dr Chua said the ministry picked the two hospitals as they were excellent medical centres in treating liver related illness, hand surgery, breast cancer, endocrine diseases and some other illness.

He said many who could afford sought treatment at these hospitals, but without the full paying patient concept, they only paid the minimal rate and enjoyed the subsidised treatment.

He said it was unfair as the government subsidy was meant for those Malaysians who could not afford to pay the full payment for the treatment of such illnesses.

He said they would be placed in the First Class wards and allowed to choose the specialist doctors, but added the supporting staff would be similar to those attending to the other patients.

He said the cost would be similar to those charged by the private hospitals and followed the schedules outlined by the Malaysian Medical Association, but with some discount.

He said this meant the treatment cost at the two hospitals would still be cheaper than those charged by the private hospitals, adding that, the concept would be extended to hospitals in the states if it was well received.

Dr Chua said some guidelines would be outlined to ensure the two hospitals did not give priority only to those who opted to pay the full payment and that the specialists also did not abuse the concept.

Retired civil servant is new Kuching North mayor

The Star

KUCHING: Retired civil servant Abang Mohd Atei Abang Medaan, 61, has been appointed the new Kuching North mayor for a two-year term.

A former director of the Sarawak Islamic Affairs Department, he took his oath of office in front of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud Friday.

He said the appointment came as a surprise to him.

“But I’m very lucky because Kuching is a model city,” he told reporters after the ceremony, adding thatt one of his priorities would be to enhance the sense of belonging and spirit of volunteerism among city folk.

Abang Mohd Atei taught at SM Rakyat Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Kuching Vocational School before moving to the state Treasury in 1970.

He also served in the Information Department and the Sarawak Islamic Council. Prior to his retirement on June 26, 2001, he was a special administrative officer in the Chief Minister’s Department.

Meanwhile Taib advised the new mayor to work closely with the people and to be firm but fair in handling problems.

“There will be problems in the city which must be tackled and we expect the mayor to be firm in situations like that. I also expect people in the city to support the mayor,” he said.

Jabatan, agensi kerajaan tidak guna CTOS

Utusan Online

PUTRAJAYA 26 Julai – Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, semua jabatan dan agensi kerajaan tidak akan menggunakan khidmat Credit Tip Off Service Sdn. Bhd. (CTOS) walaupun bank-bank perdagangan masih mahu menggunakan khidmat syarikat rujukan kredit itu.

Beliau berkata, tindakan bank-bank perdagangan itu dibuat atas keputusan persatuan mereka.

‘‘Terpulanglah kepada mereka untuk gunakan CTOS kerana itu keputusan persatuan mereka.

‘‘Apa yang saya tahu semua jabatan dan agensi kerajaan tidak akan menggunakan CTOS sebagai rujukan,” katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat pertama Majlis Penasihat Kebangsaan Mengenai Pendidikan dan Latihan di sini, hari ini.

Najib ditanya mengenai tindakan sejumlah 22 buah bank komersial yang menjadi ahli Persatuan Bank-Bank Malaysia (ABM) mahu terus menggunakan khidmat agensi rujukan kredit CTOS.

Pengerusi ABM, Datuk Seri Abdul Hamidy Hafiz dalam kenyataannya kelmarin bagaimanapun berkata, bank-bank terbabit diminta mendapatkan persetujuan daripada pelanggan terlebih dahulu sebelum merujuk kepada CTOS atau mana-mana agensi rujukan kredit.

Sementara itu, Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop dalam kenyataannya hari ini menyatakan pekeliling telah dikeluarkan kepada semua jabatan dan agensi kerajaan supaya tidak menggunakan CTOS sebagai rujukan.

‘‘Keputusan itu telah diputuskan oleh Kabinet dan ia adalah jelas, jadi agensi kerajaan tidak akan lagi menggunakan CTOS,” katanya.

Mengenai tindakan Menteri Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim menarik diri daripada dicalonkan sebagai Setiausaha Agung Komanwel, Najib berkata, beliau akan membincangkan perkara tersebut dengan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Bonus ditimbang -- Bagi sektor awam dalam Bajet 2008 – Nor Mohamed

Utusan Online

Oleh Habibah Omar

PUTRAJAYA 26 Julai – Kerajaan akan menimbangkan pemberian bonus kepada kakitangan awam tahun ini dalam pembentangan Bajet 2008, kata Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Bagaimanapun katanya, perkara itu akan diputuskan oleh kerajaan terutama Perdana Menteri yang juga Menteri Kewangan.

‘‘Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja Di Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (CUEPACS) menyatakan mereka memahami situasi kewangan kerajaan.

‘‘Tetapi seperti kebiasaannya, bonus adalah satu isu yang akan dipertimbangkan oleh kerajaan terutama Perdana Menteri dan dalam bajet, ia menjadi perkara yang akan diputuskan,” katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas Majlis Penyampaian Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang Perbendaharaan 2006 di sini hari ini.

Isnin lalu, CUEPACS dilaporkan tidak akan membuat desakan tuntutan bonus pada tahun ini memandangkan kerajaan telah menaikkan gaji kakitangan awam.

Presidennya, Omar Osman bagaimanapun berkata, jika kerajaan ‘bermurah hati’ mahu membayar bonus, ia merupakan hadiah kepada semua kakitangan sektor awam sempena ulang tahun ke-50 kemerdekaan negara.

Bajet 2008 akan dibentangkan di Parlimen, 7 September ini.

Mengenai bajet, Nor Mohamed berkata, ia sesuatu yang penting kerana 2008 akan menjadi tahun ketiga dalam pelaksanaan Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9).

‘‘Oleh itu, kerajaan perlu memastikan momentum pertumbuhan ekonomi berterusan,’’ katanya.

Menurutnya, beberapa aspek akan diambil kira terutama dalam usaha membasmi kemiskinan tegar selain memberi tumpuan kepada penyediaan perumahan, pengangkutan dan pendidikan kepada rakyat.

Katanya, ia juga meliputi penyediaan perumahan kepada Orang Asli serta penduduk pribumi Sabah dan Sarawak.

‘‘Kita mahu menyediakan kemudahan untuk membolehkan penduduk minoriti itu meningkatkan taraf hidup mereka. Ini akan dimasukkan dalam Bajet 2008,” katanya.

Mengenai perumahan, katanya, mekanisme khas akan dirangka bagi membolehkan orang ramai yang bekerja sendiri dan tidak memiliki penyata gaji termasuk peniaga kecil, pekebun dan nelayan membeli rumah.

‘‘Mekanisme khas akan dilaksanakan, namun saya tidak boleh menyatakannya kerana ia akan diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri dalam pengumuman bajet nanti,’’ katanya.

Untuk golongan korporat pula, katanya, kerajaan akan terus menyediakan persekitaran perniagaan yang mesra sama ada untuk domestik mahupun luar negara.

Hadir sama pada majlis itu ialah Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Hussin, Setiausaha Parlimen Kementerian Kewangan, Datuk Seri Dr. Hilmi Yahaya dan Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan, Datuk Dr. Wan Abd. Aziz Wan Abdullah.

EPU diarah laksana kajian guna tenaga

Berita Harian

Oleh Wan Hazmir Bakar

Hasil bantu kerajaan buat dasar lebih tepat: Najib

PUTRAJAYA: Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dipertanggungjawab menyelaraskan satu kajian menyeluruh berhubung keperluan guna tenaga negara sehingga 2020 bagi membolehkan kerajaan membuat dasar yang tepat.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, berkata pangkalan data dan peruntukan diguna pakai selama ini sudah tidak lagi mutakhir.

“Dari segi angka digunakan, ia tidak terkini. Maka kita kemas kini berdasarkan kepada angka terkini. Kajian itu dibentangkan untuk pertimbangkan majlis ini pada akhir tahun ini atau awal tahun depan,” katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat pertama Majlis Penasihat Kebangsaan Mengenai Pendidikan dan Latihan di sini, semalam. Hadir sama, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi.

Majlis yang dianggotai kementerian dan jabatan kerajaan serta sektor swasta berkaitan pendidikan dan latihan itu diwujudkan bagi menyelaras usaha untuk memenuhi permintaan dan keperluan industri.

Najib berkata, kajian itu turut mencakupi jumlah pekerjaan dan kemahiran diperlukan dengan mengambil kira perubahan struktur ekonomi negara.

Katanya, ekonomi negara kini bergerak daripada berasaskan perindustrian kepada pengetahuan dengan sektor perkhidmatan menjadi lebih besar apabila ekonomi mencapai kematangan.

“Ketika ini, 58 peratus daripada ekonomi kita adalah sektor perkhidmatan sejajar perubahan gaya hidup rakyat,” katanya.

Ditanya apakah kajian itu akan turut membabitkan penetapan gaji minimum, Najib berkata: “Tidak, tidak, tidak... pastinya tidak.”

Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, majlis itu turut memutuskan Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran yang dikendalikan Kementerian Sumber Manusia diaktifkan semula dengan peruntukan kerajaan sebanyak RM130 juta.

“Majlis ini bersetuju supaya skim latihan itu dimulakan dengan 10,000 pelatih,” katanya.

Najib berkata, majlis itu turut memutuskan untuk menambah pemberian insentif bagi skim latihan berkembar yang dikendalikan sektor swasta.

“Sistem ini berguna, tetapi sambutannya tidak begitu menggalakkan kerana insentif diberi tidak begitu menarik. Majlis secara prinsipnya kaji semula dan diperkukuhkan insentif itu dan keputusan akan dibuat tidak lama lagi,” katanya.

Mengenai pengumuman Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, berhubung pekeliling melarang jabatan dan agensi kerajaan menggunakan perkhidmatan CTOS Sdn Bhd (CTOS), Najib berkata, mereka tidak menggunakannya.

Morale up with pay hike

NST


It’s no dream. Sergeant M. Veera is delighted to see his new salary reflected in his payslip.

KUALA LUMPUR: They have seen the same figures every month for the past 15 years but beginning this month, a million-odd civil servants and more than 500,000 pensioners will be looking at different numbers in their bank accounts when the pay hike that the government announced in May, takes effect.

In Johor Baru, serviceman Captain Mohamad Shaifol Ramli will start saving the extra RM354 in his salary for his children’s education.

"This extra money, which is 18 per cent more than my previous pay, means a lot to me especially since goods are becoming more expensive.

"I am glad this pay hike finally materialised. This is a promise from a caring government that has come true.

"I will reciprocate by working harder," said the assistant director of the Johor Veteran Servicemen Affairs Department.

In May, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi brought cheer to 1,002,040 members of the public sector when he announced a salary increase of between 7.5 and 42 per cent.

A total of 557,033 pensioners will also enjoy the new increments according to their last drawn salaries.

Abdullah also announced a 100 per cent increase in the cost of living allowance (Cola), which will be RM300, RM200 and RM100 depending on location.

With the increments, the government will up its spending on salaries by RM3.4 billion for the rest of this year, and an extra RM6.8 billion annually from next year. It will also spend an extra RM600 million on increased Cola payouts this year, and RM1.2 billion annually.

Captain Mohamad Shaifol, who recently had his first child and has been in the service for over six years, said his bank account was almost zero every month after deducting payments for housing and car instalments and also living expenses.

"My income was just enough as my wife was not working. We could not afford anything more.

"Although the extra pay will allow me to spend a little bit more, I would prefer to keep it in the bank as savings for my children," he said.

He will also receive a 100 per cent hike in his cost of living allowance.

Administrative assistants Norhidayat Ibrahim and Noormawati Ali, both enjoying a pay hike of 25 per cent, described it as a windfall and blessing for all civil servants.

"It is a timely increment to offset the high cost of living, particularly here," Norhidayat said.

In George Town, Sergeant M. Veera, who has been on cloud nine since the pay hike announcement, got an increase of RM750 under the new scheme.

The father of three used to earn RM2,300 a month.

The 48-year-old, who is based at the Air Itam police station here, said his family had been staying at the police barracks for many years and they were beginning to crave for a home of their own.

"The pay hike certainly comes in handy for me to fulfil our dreams," said Veera.

He also plans to use the extra income on his children’s education.

Diploma holders can apply under proposed police scheme

The Star

By DEVID RAJAH

PUTRAJAYA: Aspiring policemen will be allowed to apply for the post of Sergeant (Sjn) while recruitment for cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) posts would be stopped under a proposed scheme.

It is understood that diploma holders will be allowed to join as sergeants.

“The newly trained Sergeants will work as assistant investigating officers,” Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Najib Abdul Aziz said yesterday.

Currently, new recruits serve as police constables before they are promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal and Sjn.

“The reason we want to recruit sergeants directly is because we need energetic rank-and-file officers to assist investigators (Inspectors),” he said, adding that the present batch of sergeants was mainly over 45 years of age.

He said by the time a constable reached the rank of Sjn, he or she would be a bit slow physically.

“We will still hire constables but the recruitment of cadet ASPs will be stopped.

“This is to ensure that police personnel work their way up after gaining enough skills and experience in law enforcement and investigative methods,” he told reporters after receiving 25,000 MyKad readers from the National Registration Department (NRD) here yesterday.

Also present was NRD director-general Datuk Mohd Abdul Halim Muhammad.

It is also understood that the proposed new police recruitment scheme would be submitted to the Government for consideration.

Najib added that the police force needed 60,000 additional personnel to beef up its crime-fighting efforts.

He also hoped that upgrading police training colleges would enable them to double the intake of recruits from the present 3,000.

“We will start training additional personnel from next year when our colleges have been upgraded,” he said.

Teachers and government staff to serve in polls

The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Thousands of teachers and officers from various government departments throughout the country have been selected to serve as Election Commission (EC) staff for the next general election.

“They will undergo a training programme depending on their job specifications during the election process,” EC secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said.

He said the teachers and local government and district office staff would form part of the 200,000 staff members needed to run the next election.

“We have about 13 teams providing training throughout the country for these (temporary) personnel,” he said.

Kamaruzaman said those chosen to serve as returning officers, assistant returning officers and presiding officers would have to undergo a two-day training course.

“Election or counting and checking clerks as well as ushers will be required to attend a one-day course.

“We are scheduled to train the 200,000 personnel by the end of September,” he said, adding that some of the teachers and government office staff were selected by their respective department heads while others volunteered.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said earlier that the commission would only be ready to conduct the general election after September.

He added that by the end of September, the EC would have trained 200,000 election workers and procured all the equipment needed for the polls, including see-through ballot boxes and special punchers to be distributed to the country’s 25,000 polling districts.

Abdul Rashid said the EC had budgeted RM220mil for the general election but might have to ask for an additional RM100mil for new equipment.

Pond squat issue: Settled, all is forgiven

The Star

KUCHING: The dust has settled over the infamous "pond squat" issue and SMK Bawang Assan school warden Wee Yim Pien has been forgiven.

She has also apologised to the families for forcing some 170 girl boarders into a fishpond last week.

Wee, 27, who is also the schools' English teacher, with a Master's degree, had meted out the punishment over repeated dumping of sanitary pads in the school's toilet bowls.

The school’s parent-teacher association chairman Jimmy Kiu said: "Everybody has forgiven her."

He added that the parents and the students wanted the teacher to stay.

"We do not want the students to suffer as the PMR examination is coming.

“The incident is settled in good faith.It is hoped that there is no more a repetition,” Kiu said in a telephone interview on Thursday.

This followed a meeting attended by Kiu, Wee, school principal Kandon Ngadi, Sibu divisional education officer Charles Tiong. parents and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar’s special representative Shashim Shah on Wednesday.

An emotional Wee was seen hugging some of the parents and shook hands with others as the episode came to an end.

Kiu said it would be up to the state Education Department to decide whether action should be taken against Wee.

Shashim said the department’s report on the investigation into the incident had been sumbitted to the Education Ministry, which would decide if any action would be taken against Wee.

Asked if Wee would continue as the warden, Kiu declined to comment, saying that this was the school’s administrative matter. The school has more than 500 students, including some 300 borders.

DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOL: What is a teacher to do?

NST

AT first, it was the football-team bashing time. Now, it seems that the attention has been diverted to the teachers. First, it was the case of a student who uttered an expletive and a teacher who allegedly punched her. Next, it was the case involving students who failed to hand in their homework. Finally, the case involving 200 schoolgirls in a pond and a warden who took centre stage.

As a teacher myself, it is disheartening to read reports portraying teachers in a bad light. No doubt, teachers have to follow certain guidelines in curtailing discipline problems but we must remember teachers are human beings, too. As parents, you have to follow a certain procedure in disciplining your child. A parent may have to deal with three or four children, but a teacher has to discipline 30 to 40 of them.

A 13-year-old girl utters a curse word in the presence of the others. What would you do? You may not punch her on the face, but believe me, the last thing that you would do is open the procedure book for guidance. I am not condoning what the teacher did but had any of us been in that situation, we, too, would be facing suspension.

During my school days, being slapped or caned by the headmaster or headmistress was something shameful, not only for the student but the parents as well. I remember parents dragging their children to the headmaster’s office to apologise for the child’s misdeeds and inflicting further punishment on their child themselves.
Nowadays, we still have parents dragging their children to the headmaster’s office but with a posse of reporters and photographers. Instead of apologising, they demand apologies. Instead of shame, they invite publicity.

Before I attempt to "defend" the Sibu incident, allow me to share an incident that took place in my school. Just last week, I stumbled upon a few boys who were covered from head to toe with flour. The class was a mess with flour on the tables, chairs and the floor.

It was quite obvious that there had been a "flour fight". However, when I demanded an explanation, no one admitted starting the fight or even bringing flour to school.

Even the threat of calling their parents was futile. Finally, when I waved my cane, the students started volunteering names and details of the "flour fight".

The warden in Sibu was not as lucky as I was. She might have threatened to dip them in the pond and probably had to do it when all the students kept mum.

I am not saying what the teachers above did is right or wrong. I am just saying that suspending or putting these teachers in a bad light is not the right thing to do.

In a way, I salute these teachers for trying to make a change. Obviously, it would have been easier to just ignore the problem.

There are many teachers out there who opt to play it safe. They just walk into the class, deliver their lesson and walk out again, ignoring the students who curse, who do not do their homework and those who do not pay attention.

I am from the old school. I believe in instilling discipline. My students dare not curse me, they will finish their homework and they will admit if they are wrong. However, after reading about the cases mentioned, maybe I, too, should play it safe.

Teachers drop tuition classes

The Star

By SARBAN SINGH

SEREMBAN: Teachers at several tuition centres here have stopped conducting lessons following raids by state education officials in the past week.

Those conducting classes at their homes have also cancelled them for fear of being caught.

Several teachers called up The Star office here to express their unhappiness over the raids.

One said that although she only started conducting lessons less than three years ago and with fewer than 10 students, she was asked to declare her income for the past 10 years.

“This is not fair. At times, I had fewer than five students coming for classes,” said the teacher who claimed to be teaching in a primary school here.

It is learnt that officials from the private education unit would conduct surprise checks minutes before classes ended.

Another teacher said she failed to understand what the fuss was all about as none of her tuition students were from the school where she taught.

“I have not neglected my students in the school where I teach. Is it wrong for me to earn a little bit extra conducting classes on my own time?” she asked. “Such tactics will only deter us from giving our best in school,” she said.

It is learnt that these teachers did not get approval from the state education department to give tuition.

Teachers at several premier schools here were also visited by department officials over their tuition activities.

When contacted, state education director Datuk Mohd Yassin Mohd Yunus confirmed that department officials had begun conducting raids statewide.

“We only act when we get complaints. We want to make sure the teachers have sought our permission to do extra work,” he said, adding that the main targets were tuition centres set up without permits.

“We are not making it difficult for teachers to earn extra.

“But we have no choice but to act when we get complaints from parents that some teachers are more engrossed in promoting their tuition classes than teaching in school,” he said.

Teachers wishing to give tuition should submit documents, including their service records and timetables at their school and the tuition centre, before being given permission.

The Education Ministry rules also stipulate that they could only give a maximum of four hours' tuition a week.

They are also not encouraged to serve at centres more than 25km from their schools.

Tidak wajar hanya guru dipersalah

Berita Harian

RAMAI memberi pendapat berhubung kes pelajar didera sejak kebelakangan ini termasuk kes terbaru dikenakan hukuman berendam di dalam kolam kerana didakwa membuang tuala wanita dalam tandas seperti dilaporkan Ahad lalu.

Namun, dalam pandangan yang dikemukakan, apakah wajar guru saja kena marah? Saya mahu ibu bapa dan sesiapa saja supaya jangan cepat melatah. Saya rasa tidak adil guru saja dipersalahkan.

Apa perasaan mereka? Memang kita marah dengan tindakan ekstrem itu tapi wajarkah kita menghentam guru berkenaan yang pada hakikatnya mahu mendidik anak kita menjadi insan berguna.

Saya rasa guru harus terus dibela. Kebanyakan mereka yang marahkan guru sekolah berkenaan dan mengaitkannya dengan pelbagai isu seperti cara latihan guru, tidak mengguna psikologi dan lain-lain.

Persoalannya, bagaimana pula dengan kes anak murid yang suka ingkar dan melawan ? Seribu satu kesalahan murid yang berlaku setiap hari dan guru saja yang tahu betapa degil dan menyakitkan hati pelajar sekolah sekarang.

Dalam keluarga saya ada lima pendidik dan saya dengar macam-macam cerita menjadikan saya sangat masak dengan kerenah pelajar sekolah. Ada yang lucu juga gelagat anak nakal ini, seperti satu kisah di Serdang, Kedah.

Apabila murid itu ditanya soalan dan dia tidak dapat menjawab, dia kata ‘kita putar Halim....’ satu dialog yang kita selalu dengar dalam rancangan TV yang semua orang tahu. kelakar memang kelakar tapi yang tidak kelakar ada juga, sampai mengugut bunuh, mencalar kereta guru dan sebagainya.

Apabila timbul isu seperti ini, guru cepat saja kena hentam. Tahukah mereka semua tekanan sebagai guru dan tahukah mereka kerenah anak sekarang ini bagaimana. Antara tekanan guru ialah cabaran mengajar, tempat sama ada masalah di bandar atau pedalaman, kemudahan guru, tugasan luar mengajar, sukan sekolah dan sebagainya.

Berbanding dengan guru, semua orang pun tahu walaupun tahap pendidikan mereka setaraf dan berkelulusan universiti. Itu sebahagian kecil saja masalah guru yang kita sebagai orang luar tahu, tapi sebenarnya banyak lagi.

Berbalik kepada soal mendenda ini. Ini lumrah alam dan dalam kehidupan sebenar pun kalau buat kesalahan kita kena denda dan dihukum. Berapa ramai orang baik berjawatan tinggi dalam kerajaan dan swasta kena denda sebab kesalahan lalu lintas, cuma hukumannya jelas, kena kompaun dan bayar kompaun habis cerita.

Nampak tak ironinya, kalau orang dewasa, berjawatan tinggi dan baik pada budi pekerti pun buat salah berulang kali, inikan pula murid sekolah?

Hukuman yang baik sebagai pengajaran seharusnya hukuman yang keras dan tegas. Masalahnya, kesalahan di sekolah ini unik. Ia bukan jenayah tapi kalau dibiarkan boleh menjadi parah. Pokok pangkalnya, kita kena tahu asas sesuatu hal.

Orang dulu kata kepada guru, pukullah untuk mendidik tapi jangan sampai patah dan buta sudahlah.

Hal ini bukan lapuk tapi dinamik, semakin negara maju, semakin orang menjadi mata duitan, semakin isu ini rumit. Ada orang kata, guru dibayar gaji untuk mendidik dan hanya boleh mendidik.

Tapi mereka lupa, mendidik bukan hanya semata mata-mata pelajaran sekolah, tapi juga mendidik disiplin, kemahiran hidup dan realiti hidup. Hidup zaman ini kena pandai dan mahir segala macam termasuk kehidupan.

Jadi, jangan menghentam guru sesuka hati kita saja. Marilah kita bersama-sama membantu guru mendidik anak kita.

ACE,
Manjalara, Kuala Lumpur.

CUEPACS tidak desak kerajaan bayar bonus

Utusan Online

KUCHING 23 Julai – Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja Di Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (CUEPACS) tidak akan membuat desakan tuntutan bonus pada tahun ini memandangkan kerajaan telah menaikkan gaji kakitangan awam yang bakal dinikmati hujung bulan ini.

Presiden CUEPACS, Omar Osman bagaimanapun berkata, jika kerajaan ‘bermurah hati’ untuk membayar bonus, ia merupakan hadiah kepada semua kakitangan sektor awam sempena ulang tahun ke-50 kemerdekaan negara.

“Memang dahulu (sebelum kenaikan gaji) kita ada menuntut bayaran bonus daripada kerajaan dan menyerahkan kepada pihak kerajaan untuk menentukannya.

“Tetapi kali ini kita tidak menuntut (bonus) secara mendesak kerana kakitangan awam telah dinaikkan gaji baru yang tinggi.

“Jika kerajaan tetap berhasrat untuk membayar bonus, ia merupakan satu rahmat buat kakitangan awam,” kata Omar kepada pemberita selepas majlis dialog dengan Kesatuan Kakitangan Am Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) di Kota Samarahan dekat sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata, berikutan pelaksanaan skim gaji baru tidak lama lagi CUEPACS berharap akan berlaku lonjakan produktiviti kerja di kalangan kakitangan awam.

Katanya, kakitangan awam kini diperhatikan oleh para pelanggan di seluruh negara sama ada mereka berubah dari segi produktiviti selepas menikmati kenaikan gaji.

“Pada masa yang sama CUEPACS berharap kakitangan awam dapat menumpukan sepenuh perhatian kepada pekerjaan, tidak lagi menjalankan kerja sambilan dan meningkatkan sistem penyampaian di tempat kerja masing-masing,” katanya.

Dalam perkembangan yang sama, Omar turut meminta kakitangan awam memulaukan para peniaga yang menjual barangan pada harga yang tidak munasabah berikutan pembayaran pertama skim gaji baru pada hujung bulan ini.

Menurutnya, tindakan memulaukan peniaga terbabit harus dilakukan dalam satu tempoh yang dirasakan sesuai sehingga peniaga itu sendiri menyedari tindakannya tidak disenangi oleh pengguna.

Kata Omar: “Inilah masanya kita menggunakan kuasa sebagai pengguna untuk mengajar peniaga mengambil kesempatan.”

Kajian khusus guru bertindak luar jangkaan

Berita Harian

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Pelajaran disaran melaksanakan kajian khusus bagi mengenal pasti punca guru bertindak di luar jangkaan ketika menghukum murid sehingga menyebabkan murid trauma.

Presiden Majlis Permuafakatan Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) Kebangsaan, Prof Madya Mohd Ali Hassan, berkata ia perlu supaya integriti perguruan tidak terjejas berikutan laporan negatif mengenai profesion itu oleh media.

“Hasil kajian akan menentukan punca guru bertindak di luar jangkaan dan memudahkan tindakan penyelesaian yang konkrit.

“Kita tidak mahu lumpur terpalit dalam profesion perguruan. Oleh itu, kajian perlu dilakukan untuk mencari punca sama ada masalah seperti mengenakan hukuman di luar jangkaan adalah disebabkan bebanan tugas,” katanya kepada Berita Harian semalam.

Kelmarin, akhbar melaporkan tujuh pelajar Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Long Lama, di Baram, Miri, mendakwa dirotan guru 10 hingga 20 kali di punggung sehingga menyebabkan mereka demam dan tidak dapat tidur serta duduk selepas mengotorkan kawasan asrama Khamis lalu.

Kejadian membabitkan guru memberi hukuman luar jangkaan di Miri itu adalah yang terbaru selepas 200 pelajar perempuan SMK Bawang Assan, Sibu, direndam dalam kolam ikan akibat enggan mengakui kesalahan membuang tuala wanita dalam mangkuk tandas asrama.

Sebelum ini, Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Noh Omar, mendedahkan kementeriannya menerima 200 aduan membabitkan salah laku guru sejak Januari tahun ini hingga 15 Mei lalu dan daripada jumlah itu 81 kes diselesaikan dengan tindakan sewajarnya.

Anugerah Akademik Negara bagi pensyarah

Berita Harian

Oleh Syuhada Choo Abdullah

Pengiktirafan diberi berdasarkan kejayaan dalam pelbagai bidang

KERAJAAN akan menyampaikan Anugerah Akademik Negara (AAN) 2006, kepada pensyarah institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) dan swasta (IPTS) yang mengharumkan nama negara di sebuah hotel terkemuka di Putrajaya, 2 Ogos depan.

Menurut sumber Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi, majlis penganugerahan julung kali itu akan disempurnakan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Sambil menjelaskan konsep pengiktirafan itu berlandaskan Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung yang dilaksanakan Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) selama enam tahun, katanya, penganugerahan AAN akan merangkumi enam kategori utama.

Beliau berkata, kategori terbabit ialah Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara, Anugerah Penerbitan Makalah Jurnal, Anugerah Penerbitan Buku, Anugerah Inovasi dan Pengkomersilan Produk, Anugerah Seni dan Kreativiti serta Anugerah Pengajaran.

“Pemberian anugerah AAN berdasarkan hadiah dan pengiktirafan dicapai dengan memilih yang terbaik dalam bidang masing-masing.

“Kecemerlangan pensyarah IPT di negara ini sudah terbukti melalui pelbagai pengiktirafan diterima pada peringkat kebangsaan dan antarabangsa, antaranya ISESCO Literacy Prize, Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology (Unesco), Young Scientist Unesco, King Faisal Award (Arab Saudi), Khwarizmi International Award (Iran), Doktoral Fellow PHP (Institute Asia, Tokyo), Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (Arab Saudi) serta World Intellectual Property Organization Awards.

“Malah, pelbagai pertubuhan, persatuan dan kementerian turut mengiktiraf kecemerlangan pensyarah kita, termasuk Yayasan Sains Toray Malaysia, Anugerah Inovasi Negara, Anugerah Langkawi, Anugerah Sastera Negara, Anugerah Tokoh Maal Hijrah, Anugerah Harta Intelek Negara, Anugerah Seniman Negara dan Anugerah Pingat Emas Penyelidikan.

“Selain itu, mereka juga banyak menaikkan nama negara dengan menerbitkan hasil penyelidikan dalam jurnal yang mempunyai impak tinggi, menerbitkan karya asal dalam bentuk buku bernilai tinggi, menghasilkan karya seni dan kreativiti terbaik, mengkomersialkan produk penyelidikan dan menjadi pengajar cemerlang,” katanya kepada Berita Harian, semalam.

Menurut sumber itu, permohonan AAN terbuka kepada warga negara Malaysia saja membabitkan semua pensyarah yang berkhidmat sepenuh masa bagi tempoh dinilai di universiti dan kolej universiti awam serta swasta tempatan, kecuali bagi Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara.

Bagi Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara, katanya, sumbangan kumulatif calon berdasarkan anugerah dan pengiktirafan diterima sepanjang kerjaya akademik akan diambil kira.

Bagi semua kategori lain kecuali Anugerah Inovasi dan Pengkomersilan Produk, beliau berkata, hanya calon yang sudah menerima anugerah atau pengiktirafan pada peringkat kebangsaan atau antarabangsa bagi tempoh 1 Januari hingga 31 Disember 2006 layak dipertimbangkan.

“Seterusnya, Anugerah Inovasi dan Pengkomersilan Produk hanya bagi produk yang sudah dikomersialkan dan mendapat pulangan daripada jualan, layak dipertimbangkan.

“Sementara itu bagi kategori Anugerah Pengajaran pula, pensyarah universiti/kolej universiti awam dan swasta yang melaksanakan tanggungjawab pengajaran dengan penuh dedikasi, komited serta sempurna untuk menghasilkan siswazah berkualiti tinggi, layak dipertimbangkan,” katanya.

Bonus: Nak tapi tak harap

klpos

Monday, 23 July 2007

KUCHING: Cuepacs tidak akan mendesak kerajaan untuk memberi bonus kepada kakitangan kerajaan tahun ini kerana faham beban yang ditanggung kerajaan berikutan keputusannya memberi kenaikan gaji kakitangan awam mulai Julai ini.

Bagaimanapun, Presiden Cuepacs, Omar Osman, berharap kerajaan akan menimbang dan memberikan bonus kepada kakitangan awam seperti yang ia lakukan setiap tahun.

“Kita mengambil sikap tunggu serta lihat pada pembentangan Bajet 2008 pada 7 September ini oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,” katanya kepada Bernama di sini semalam.

Land switched in death

The Sun

R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez

PETALING JAYA (July 22, 2007): If the Sabak Bernam Land Office records are anything to go by, a man who died in 1951, walked out of his grave 26 years later to sign the necessary papers to transfer his Malay Reserve land to a third party of Chinese descent.

Raja Hussin Raja Hassan who acquired the land in 1917 died on April 25, 1951. But records show that the land had been transferred to See Lim Poh on April 1, 1977.

Now, Raja Hussin’s grandson, Zainal Aabidin Jamaluddin, wants to get back what he says is rightfully his, but the Sabak Bernam Land Office says the "old records" of ownership cannot be traced.

But he has photocopies of the original title where he claims are some discrepancies.
Raja Hussin had inherited 13 lots comprising over 10 acres of Malay Reserve Land in Sabak Bernam from his father Raja Hassan Raja Dol in 1917. (the latter was given the land by virtue of his lineage to the State Ruler).

Raja Hussin proceeded to obtain a Letter of Administration from the Kuala Lumpur Supreme Court in 1946.

When he died in 1951, Raja Hussin’s son Idris continued with the petitions to obtain the necessary documents. This was an endevour that lasted until 1977 when the family discovered that the land has since been alienated to See.

Raja Hussin had in the 1940s allowed See to cultivate coconuts on that land.

Zainal Aabidin says the Sabak Bernam Land Office has since claimed through a letter on Aug 8, 2000, that it could not trace the original grant/land title which lists Raja Hussin as the owner.

A title search on the lots revealed that the land belongs to one See who has since sub-divided them equally among his six children.

Today, that land forms part of the Sungai Besar township and houses a supermarket and bus station.

"I had on several occassions tried to obtain the land titles but the Land Office was very unco-operative," said Zainal Aabidin who has since lodged several police reports against the Land Office.

He said he was offered another piece of land outside the township which is lower valued.

"That land is now worth millions. All I want is what rightfully belongs to my family," said Zainal Aabidin.

An extract of two lots of the land obtained last month lists Sin Chai Leng and Sin Chai Chew as respective owners.

Lawyer Derek Fernandez, who specialises in planning and land law, said only the sultan has the authority to change the status of Malay Reserve Land.

"However, it can only be done in accordance with the National Land Council’s policies on Malay ownership of land, wherein a replacement of similar status and value must be given to the owner whose land is taken from him.

"Even so, the removal of Malay Reserve Land must be done in the interest of Malays," said Fernandez.

He said anyhing otherwise would be in violation with the land rights of Malays.

Fernandez added that a Malay could lease his Malay Reserve Land to a non-Malay to derive profit, but not sell the land to him.

Tiada faedah sambung belajar

Berita Harian

DILEMA gaji guru lepasan diploma (DGA29) yang menyambung pelajaran ke peringkat ijazah dan dilantik ke jawatan guru siswazah (DG41) seharusnya diberi perhatian pihak Kementerian Pelajaran dan Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA).

Jika diperhalusi rintihan guru ini, ada kewajarannya. Bermula dengan pengorbanan mereka menyambung pelajaran sepenuh masa ke peringkat ijazah dengan berbekalkan separuh gaji tiga hingga empat tahun.

Mereka menerima gaji statik dalam tempoh itu, bagi mereka yang menyambung pelajaran sebelum Skim Saraan Malaysia (SSM) diperkenalkan hinggalah kepada bebanan pinjaman Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) yang terpaksa dilunaskan selepas tamat pengajian.

Jadi adalah amat tidak kena jika gaji yang mereka peroleh sekarang jauh lebih rendah daripada rakan mereka, yakni guru DGA29 yang tidak menyambung pelajaran, tidak mengeluarkan sebarang kos tetapi mendapat kenaikan gaji lebih tinggi melalui sistem ‘time based’ ke DGA32.

Justeru sebagai jalan penyelesaian sewajarnyalah pihak kementerian dan JPA meneliti masalah guru ini dan melakukan beberapa penyesuaian dalam skim gaji dan pelantikan mereka. Antara yang boleh dipertimbangkan ialah bermula pada 1 Julai ini, gaji permulaan bagi guru DGA29 yang menyambung pelajaran dan dilantik ke jawatan guru siswazah DG41, ialah pada mata gaji tertinggi yang terhampir atau sekurang-kurangnya pada tangga gaji DG41(P1T10) iaitu RM2,509.90, bukannya pada DG41 (P1T4) seperti sekarang ini.

Tangga gaji DG41(P1T10) ini difikirkan amat relevan kerana mata gaji permulaan bagi guru lepasan diploma yang dinaikkan pangkat ke DGA32 (P1T1) ialah RM2,416.06. Jika dibandingkan dengan mata gaji DG41(P1T10), perbezaan gajinya ialah sebanyak RM93.84 saja.

Walaupun tidak memadai, ia boleh dianggap wajar dengan pengorbanan yang guru ini lakukan sepanjang mereka menyambung pelajaran. Bagi guru senasib yang dilantik sebelum 1 Julai dan menerima gaji di bawah DG41 (P1T10), mereka hendaklah diberi kenaikan gaji terus ke mata gaji berkenaan berkuat kuasa pada 1 Julai juga.

Mata gaji minimum bagi lantikan guru sambung belajar yang ada sekarang iaitu pada DG41 (P1T4) dilihat tidak sesuai. Ini kerana mata gaji itu adalah sama dengan guru ‘freshie’ yang baru dilantik, iaitu siswazah yang baru keluar universiti sedangkan guru sambung belajar ini mempunyai pengalaman mengajar serta menghadiri pelbagai kursus.

Peranan guru sebagai pendidik dalam menyumbang kepada pembangunan modal insan negara adalah amat penting. Pengorbanan mereka dalam menyahut agenda nasional bagi mengangkat kualiti pendidikan negara dengan mempertingkatkan ilmu, seharusnya mendapat sokongan padu kerajaan.

WAK NON,

Tanjung Karang, Selangor.

Gred DGA32 lebih beruntung

Berita Harian

SAYA sangat kecewa dengan kenyataan pihak kerajaan dalam menyelesaikan isu gaji Julai 2007 DG41 dengan DGA32 dengan alasan DG41 adalah lantikan dan DGA32 adalah kenaikan pangkat.

Tindakan kerajaan ini seperti mahu melepaskan tangan atas kesilapan kaedah pengiraan kenaikan gaji dan tidak menghargai pengorbanan kami DG41 yang sanggup berkorban dan menempuh pelbagai keperitan demi segulung ijazah.

Namun kami tetap menyatakan bahawa DG41 lebih banyak mendapat manfaat dalam jangka panjang berbanding DGA32. Dengan ini, kerajaan sanggup pejam mata dan mengetepikan segala luahan kami walaupun memang tahu keperitan yang kami lalui demi segulung ijazah.

Kenyataan pihak kerajaan ini juga lagi menambah untung kepada DGA32 yang akan dan sedang membuat ijazah, apatah lagi yang sudah memiliki ijazah. Mereka akan mendapat kenaikan gaji lagi apabila dilantik ke DG41. Di sini sekali lagi, kami ketinggalan.

Hakikatnya, semua DGA29 akan mendapat DGA32 apabila cukup tempoh berkhidmat 10 tahun dan lulus PTK. Tapi bagaimana dengan kami? Kami tidak menikmati keuntungan seperti DGA32 dengan mendapat tunggakan gaji hingga berbelas ribu ringgit dan kenaikan besar dalam gaji pokok.

Kami kehilangan ‘time based’ dalam perkhidmatan DGA29 dulu dan terpaksa menunggu masa lama untuk layak memohon DG44 yang sangat jarang diperoleh oleh DG41. Malah, rata-rata kami adalah sudah berumur dan tidak akan mencapai masa untuk layak memohon DG44.

Bagi saya, kerajaan membuat kesilapan besar dalam kaedah pengiraan kenaikan gaji seperti sekarang RM500 ke bawah - 35 peratus, RM501 hingga RM1000 - 30 peratus, RM1001 hingga RM1500 - 25 peratus, RM1,501 hingga RM2,000 - 20 peratus, RM2,001 hingga RM3,000 - 15 peratus dan Jusa - tujuh peratus.

TUAN ORICHIMARU,
Kuantan.

Guru mesti didik bukan dera pelajar

Berita Harian

ISU mengenai segelintir guru melepas geram kepada pelajar dengan tindakan tanpa mengikut peraturan dan menjejaskan nama baik dan etika profesionalisme dalam akhbar sejak akhir-akhir ini, menarik perhatian.

Kes dakwaan 22 murid Tahun Empat Sekolah Kebangsaan Gayang, Tuaran ditampar kerana tidak menyiapkan kerja di rumah dan 200 pelajar perempuan Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bawang Assan dekat Sibu, kena berendam dalam air kolam ikan kotor selama sejam kerana kesalahan seorang pelajar membuang tuala wanita dalam mangkuk tandas, adalah suatu tindakan keterlaluan serta memalukan warga guru yang mengutamakan prosedur dan garis panduan salah laku pelajar di sekolah.

Biarpun guru mempunyai objektif dan niat murni untuk mendidik pelajar, pelaksanaan tindakan mesti rasional dan berfokus sahsiah dan selaras konsep Jeri iaitu keseimbangan dari segi jasmani, emosi, rohani dan intelektual yang ingin diterapkan kepada pelajar.

Tindakan menampar dan merendam dalam air kolam busuk amat berbahaya dan terdedah kepada gigitan serangga dan binatang bisa, malah penyakit kulit antara kesan jangka panjang. Apakah insurans dan cagaran yang ditanggung oleh guru seperti itu dalam usaha kerajaan menerap nilai murni dan modal insan.

Zaman guru bengis dan tidak mesra pelajar sudah berlalu. Guru wajar dihormati bukan ditakuti. Pelajar akan berasa dihargai jika guru sering berdamping dan menasihati pelajar nakal.

Umpamanya, menyedarkan pelajar bahawa mereka menjadi harapan ibu bapa untuk mengubah nasib sendiri dan keluarga. Mereka belajar pelbagai ilmu dan kemahiran serta nilai di sekolah agar menjadi ahli masyarakat mulia dan berguna kepada agama, bangsa dan negara.

Memang tidak dinafikan salah laku dan disiplin pelajar merunsingkan semua pihak. Apatah lagi kini pelajar terdedah kepada persekitaran dan media yang memerlukan guru cakna dan waras dalam tindakan. Guru harus banyak bersabar dan tabah menghadapi kerenah pelajar dewasa ini.

Rasionalnya mereka budak yang nakal, berbuat salah dan silap tetapi manusia yang bernama guru menerima tanggungjawab mendidik, mengajar, mengasuh dan membentuk manusia yang bakal menjadi warganegara berprinsipkan Rukun Negara.

Guru harus menerima risiko diancam pelajar, kenderaan dicalar atau dibocorkan tayar atau paling menyusahkan guru apabila kes mahkamah membabitkan guru. Malah, tindakan tatatertib juga adalah prosedur dan etika dalam perkhidmatan awam menanti guru yang melepas geram ketika bertugas.

Biar apapun bebanan tugas dan disiplin pelajar yang dihadapi, guru mesti berpegang pada nilai murni. Usaha mendidik dan membangunkan nilai manusia tidak semudah membina bangunan. Sekali gus guru disanjung kerana maruah dan disiplin keilmuan.

Jangan nila setitik rosak susu sebelanga.

ZULKEFLEE YAACOB,
Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Hukum pelajar biar berpada

Berita Harian

BERITA mengenai kejadian 200 pelajar perempuan di sebuah sekolah menengah di Sarawak dihukum berendam dalam kolam ikan yang kotor selama sejam kerana seorang daripada mereka membuang tuala wanita terpakai ke mangkuk tandas asrama Rabu lalu, agak mengejutkan. Seorang warden asrama SMK Bawang Assan dekat Sibu itu, dikatakan mengarahkan pelajar berkenaan berendam dalam kolam sehingga ke paras leher sebagai denda kerana kesalahan seorang daripada mereka yang enggan mengakui kesalahan itu.

Selepas disiasat, tiada pelajar mengaku membuang tuala wanita itu, menyebabkan warden terbabit mengarahkan semua pelajar berkenaan berendam walaupun ketika itu dikatakan hujan dan kilat. Menurut laporan akhbar, kejadian denda itu disaksikan oleh Pengerusi Persatuan Ibu Bapa Guru (PIBG) sekolah itu, Jimmy Kiu yang kemudian mengambil beberapa gambar. Kita berpendapat menghukum pelajar berendam dalam kolam ikan yang kotor seperti itu bukan saja tidak setimpal dengan kesalahan pelajar, malah tidak ada dalam peraturan disiplin sekolah berasrama.

Walaupun usaha mendisiplinkan pelajar adalah baik, pendekatan warden terbabit bertentangan dengan garis panduan berkaitan disiplin pelajar yang dikeluarkan oleh Kementerian Pelajaran. Tindakan warden itu agak keterlaluan dan berbahaya apatah lagi membabitkan pelajar perempuan. Ia sekolah biasa, bukan sekolah latihan untuk anggota tentera apatah lagi jika ia membabitkan anak perempuan yang sudah pasti mengundang rasa tidak puas hati di kalangan ibu bapa.

Bagi berlaku adil kepada kedua-dua pihak, siasatan terperinci perlu dijalankan dengan segera memandangkan isu ini sudah dihebahkan secara meluas di media tempatan. Buat permulaan, pelajar terbabit boleh membuat aduan sama ada kepada Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah atau polis. Walaupun selepas kejadian, ramai pelajar mengalami gatal-gatal dan demam, mereka tidak berani bersuara kerana takut selain diberi amaran supaya tidak menghebahkannya bagi mengelak dikenakan hukuman lebih berat.

Jika perkara ini tidak dihebahkan, sudah pasti segala kepincangan tidak diketahui oleh pihak kementerian atau masyarakat sekitar. Kita tahu lokasi sekolah itu agak terpencil dan hanya boleh dilalui menggunakan bot. Pelajar sekitar kawasan dari Sungai Pasin, Batang Lassa, Nanga Singat, Sungai Lengang, Sungai Belangan dan Tanjung Bekakap, terpaksa menggunakan perahu atau bot ekspres beberapa jam untuk sampai ke sekolah asrama berkenaan. Persoalannya sekarang, apakah tindakan keras seperti itu masih diamalkan di sekolah sekarang dan jika mengambil kira kenyataan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, era guru bermaharajalela dengan bertindak sewenang-wenangnya termasuk mendera pelajar sudah lama berlalu.

Guru atau warden perlu bijak menangani masalah disiplin dan tidak seharusnya berkompromi, tetapi tindakan melampau pula tidak boleh diterima pelajar dan masyarakat umum termasuk beberapa kes lain seperti guru memukul, menampar murid atau murid memukul guru. Guru menerima tanggungjawab mendidik, mengajar, mengasuh dan membentuk manusia yang akan menjadi warga berprinsipkan Rukun Negara.

Halang lelaki ‘lembut’ jadi guru tidak adil

Berita Harian

Oleh Khairul Anuar Abd Samad dan Sazarina Shahrim

KUALA LUMPUR: Cadangan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi tidak menerima lelaki ‘lembut’ dalam bidang perguruan di negara ini dan mengikuti program ijazah sarjana muda pendidikan di universiti tempatan, disifatkan sebagai tidak adil dan menafikan hak asasi individu.

Pelbagai pihak juga mahu kementerian itu mengkaji semula langkah itu kerana ia bukan penyelesaian kepada masalah lelaki ‘lembut’.

Presiden Cuepacs, Omar Osman, berkata ada pelbagai pendekatan yang lebih baik boleh diambil kerana sifat sedemikian lahir secara semula jadi.

“Langkah ini tidak sesuai diambil kerana pemikiran lelaki ‘lembut’ kadang kala lebih tajam daripada lelaki biasa. Kalau mereka pandai, kita boleh gunakan kepandaian itu untuk mendidik anak bangsa.

“Lelaki ‘lembut’ tidak sepatutnya dinafikan hak menjadi guru, sebaliknya pendekatan lain seperti kursus asas atau sesi kaunseling lebih sesuai diberikan kepada mereka,” katanya ketika dihubungi semalam.

Kelmarin, Setiausaha Parlimen Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT), Datuk Dr Adham Baba, berkata lelaki ‘lembut’ tidak akan mendapat tempat dalam bidang perguruan di negara ini dan permohonan mereka mengikuti program ijazah sarjana muda pendidikan di universiti tempatan berkemungkinan besar akan ditolak walaupun cemerlang dalam akademik.

Malah semua calon guru diwajibkan menjalani ujian Malaysian Educators Selection Inventory (MEdSI) selain saringan temuduga dikendalikan KPT sebagai langkah memastikan mereka tidak tergolong dalam kumpulan yang mengalami kekeliruan ‘gender’.

Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Perkhidmatan Guru Kementerian Pelajaran, Jamali Paiman, berkata masalah itu adalah terpencil dan golongan terbabit wajar diberi peluang kedua membaiki keupayaan diri masing-masing.

Beliau berkata, setiap orang mempunyai hak masing-masing dan sistem pendidikan negara tidak harus statik dengan menjuruskan kepada satu pihak saja.

"Kita harus memberi peluang dan tidak bersikap prejudis terhadap mereka. Keupayaan mereka mungkin berguna dalam bidang tertentu. Tidak sepatutnya yang lembut apabila mengikuti pengajian akan terus kekal lembut.

"Malah ada di kalangan mereka yang tamat pengajian berubah menjadi lelaki macho. Beri peluang kepada mereka kerana sistem perguruan negara ini adalah demokrasi," katanya.

Presiden Kesatuan Guru-Guru Agama Malaysia Barat, Malek Hassan, pula menganggap keputusan itu tidak boleh diterima dalam sistem pendidikan negara.

Katanya, sikap lembut seseorang itu tidak boleh menjadi faktor penentu kegemilangan pendidikan tetapi harus ditumpukan komitmen serta nilai lain mereka terhadap dunia pendidikan.

"Ketinggian ilmu serta komitmen mereka menjadi landasan penting bagi menghasilkan seorang pendidik yang cemerlang, bukannya tengok pada fizikal.

"Ada ketika kelembutan ini diperlukan dalam dunia pendidikan dan mereka perlu turut diberi peluang untuk menjadi pendidik," katanya.

Tindakan warden akibatkan trauma

Berita Harian

KUCHING: Tindakan menghukum pelajar dengan cara merendam mereka dalam kolam bukanlah kaedah mendidik yang berkesan sebaliknya tindakan itu akan memberi kesan buruk dalam tempoh jangka panjang.

Menteri Muda (Hal Ehwal Islam), Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, berkata tindakan itu lebih bersifat mendera, bukannya mendidik untuk dijadikan teladan kepada pelajar itu.

“Bukan begini caranya untuk mendidik anak kita, itu adalah perbuatan mendera. Walaupun mereka bersalah, mereka tidak seharusnya menempuh keadaan yang akan menimbulkan perasaan trauma di sekolah,” katanya ketika mengulas kejadian 200 pelajar perempuan Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bawang Assan, Sibu direndam di dalam kolam akibat enggan mengakui kesalahan membuang tuala wanita ke dalam mangkuk tandas asrama, Rabu lalu.

Perbuatan itu dikesan Pengerusi Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG), Jimmy Kiu, yang mendakwa perbuatan mendera itu dilakukan oleh seorang warden asrama selepas marah dengan perbuatan seorang pelajar perempuan berkenaan.

Daud berkata, tindakan itu jelas melanggar batas kemanusiaan kerana ia akan memberi kesan jangka panjang kepada semua pelajar yang baru berusia antara 12 hingga 18 tahun.

“Mendera pelajar dengan memaksa mereka berendam dalam kolam ketika hujan selama sejam adalah sesuatu yang keterlaluan dan melampau batasan walaupun diketahui mereka melanggar peraturan.

Dalam kejadian jam 4 petang di Sibu itu, warden perempuan asrama sekolah itu mengarahkan 200 pelajar Tingkatan Satu hingga Lima berendam sehingga ke paras leher dalam kolam ikan sebagai denda kerana seorang daripada mereka enggan mengakui kesalahan membuang tuala wanita dalam mangkuk tandas.

Akibatnya, ramai pelajar gatal-gatal dan deman kerana kolam itu bertakung dan kotor dengan air dari kantin turut dialirkan ke dalamnya, namun mereka tidak berani bersuara kerana diugut dikenakan hukuman lebih berat jika menghebahkannya.

Ketua Pemuda Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, menyifatkan perbuatan mendera itu melampau kerana ia turut dilakukan secara beramai-ramai oleh seorang warden perempuan.

“Saya berharap pihak sekolah dan Pejabat Pelajaran akan menyiasat perkara ini secara terperinci termasuk tidak cuba melindungi mana-mana pihak yang diketahui terbabit kerana bukan begini caranya untuk mendisiplinkan pelajar,” katanya.

‘Soft’ men won’t be recruited as teachers

The Star

EFFEMINATE or “soft” men will not be recruited as teachers and their application to pursue a degree in education in local universities may also be rejected, Berita Harian reported.

Quoting Higher Education Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Dr Adham Baba, the report said all candidates for teaching would be required to sit for a test called the Malaysian Educators Selection Inventory (MEdSI) and undergo interviews.

He said the move was not to discriminate on “soft” men but was an approach to help them realise that they have deviated from the original path in life.

Prior to this, Dr Adham said recruitment of candidates to pursue a degree in education would only be based on academic excellence and candidates were not required to sit for the MEdSI test or go through an interview.

The daily said the matter became an issue after schools were allegedly flooded with “soft” men, and added that such a scenario would hamper the image of the teaching profession and national education.

“Beginning this year, all candidates interested in teaching would have to sit for the test and go through an interview.

“Those who pass the criteria, and that includes not having gender confusion, will be allowed to participate in courses pertaining to education,” he said.

Asked to define “soft”, Dr Adham said he was not referring to well-mannered male teachers but to men who were heterosexual but behaved like women by putting on make-up or by using false eyelashes.

“As an educator who is also a role model to students, they should not reflect such an image to students. If these are our group of educators, what will happen to our future generation?,” said Dr Adham.

> Mingguan Malaysia reported that the manpower department of the Human Resources Ministry recorded close to 42,000 job vacancies up to July 16.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said the department had registered a total of 93,068 job seekers for the same period.

“Many of them are graduates, former army and police personnel, retirees and the disabled,” he said when launching a job carnival in Kepala Batas, Penang.

Perak state manpower department head K. Sritharen read out Dr Fong’s speech on his behalf.

Dr Fong also urged employers to register with the Electronic Labour Exchange system set up by the ministry to help them select workers in an easy and fast manner.

Warden pertahan rendam 200 pelajar dalam kolam

Utusan Online

Oleh: SAYED HESHAM IDRIS

SIBU 22 Julai – Warden Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bawang Assan, dekat sini yang mengarahkan 200 pelajar perempuan berendam di dalam kolam ekoran tindakan seorang daripada mereka membuang tuala wanita ke dalam mangkuk tandas sekolah Rabu lalu, mempertahankan tindakannya.

Warden wanita itu, Wee Yim Pien berkata, beliau telah berulang kali mengingatkan para pelajar supaya tidak membuang tuala wanita ke dalam mangkuk tandas sejak tiga tahun lalu.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, sesetengah pelajar tidak menghiraukan amarannya menyebabkan saluran tandas kerap tersumbat.

Keadaan itu katanya, menyebabkan pengawas sekolah terpaksa menggunakan tangan untuk mengeluarkan tuala wanita yang dibuang ke dalam mangkuk tandas setiap kali saluran tandas tersumbat.

‘‘Sedangkan tempat membuang sampah memang disediakan di luar tandas untuk pelajar perempuan membuang tuala wanita.

‘‘Pihak sekolah turut menyediakan surat khabar lama untuk memudahkan pelajar membalut tuala wanita yang telah digunakan sebelum ia dibuang ke dalam bakul sampah,” katanya.

Beliau mendakwa, walaupun disediakan kemudahan tersebut, keadaan masih tidak berubah.

Malahan, baru-baru ini beliau sekali lagi memberi amaran akan menghukum pelajar yang membuang tuala wanita ke dalam mangkuk tandas dengan merendam mereka ke dalam kolam.

Beliau yang merupakan guru bahasa Inggeris di sekolah berkenaan berkata, Selasa lalu ketika membersihkan hostel, seorang pengawas memberitahunya bahawa satu tuala wanita ditemui di dalam mangkuk tandas.

Jelasnya, beliau hilang sabar dengan kejadian itu lalu menghukum pelajar dengan mengarahkan mereka berendam di dalam kolam.

Guru lepasan ijazah yang berasal dari Kuching itu berkata, pada awalnya beliau mahu menghukum pelajar dengan merendam mereka selama lima minit.

‘‘Tetapi para pelajar membuat bising menyebabkan saya melanjutkan hukuman sehingga setengah jam,” ujarnya.

Beliau berkata, ketika pelajar memasuki kolam, hujan renyai tetapi berhenti tidak lama kemudian dan tiada kilat pada masa kejadian.

‘‘Hujan lebat selepas semua pelajar keluar dari kolam,” katanya.

Guru itu turut menafikan laporan akhbar bahawa kolam berkenaan kotor.

Justeru beliau menolak dakwaan air kolam berkenaan yang menyebabkan pelajar mengalami gatal-gatal dan ruam sehingga ada yang demam.

Laporan sebelum ini mendakwa air kolam berkenaan kotor kerana bercampur dengan sisa makanan dan air kotor yang dibuang dari kantin sekolah.

Menurutnya, air kolam itu kerap digunakan untuk aktiviti luar kelas seperti program orientasi dan juga motivasi.

Bagaimanapun menurutnya, ia merupakan kali pertama beliau mengenakan hukuman sedemikian kepada pelajar.

‘‘Saya mencuba pelbagai cara supaya pelajar menjaga kebersihan kawasan sekolah tetapi gagal,” katanya.

Jelasnya lagi, tugas sebagai warden sekolah bukan mudah dan tidak ramai guru mahu melakukannya.

Ditanya kemungkinan berdepan dengan tindakan disiplin ekoran kejadian itu, katanya, beliau hanya menjalankan tugas.

Public can just go to one government dept when e-KL takes off

The Star

By SIM LEOI LEOI

PUTRAJAYA: The public will be able to carry out all their official business at one government department when the e-KL project takes off this year.

Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Unit (Mampu) director-general Datuk Normah Md Yusof said that under the “No Wrong Door” policy, the last words the public should hear from a civil servant were “I don’t know.”

Normah: ‘Our clients will be served no matter where they go’

“We don’t want the days where people who are trying to conduct official matters are pushed or redirected to various offices and passed from one staff member to another. It is very frustrating for the public,” she added.

Normah said the project, which would be implemented from this year until 2010, could catapult Malaysia’s competitiveness ranking into the top 10, which would in turn attract more investors to the country.

”We don’t want to be left behind, particularly when other countries in the region are also mushrooming in terms of growth.

“An example is when a person who wants to pay his assessment goes to the wrong local council or authority. He should not be asked to go away.

“Instead, the local authority staff can tell him that he is at the wrong office but that he can still pay his assessment there and have the payment entered into the computer online system.

“Our clients will be served no matter where they go,” she said.

The policy comes as the department – which has been tasked to improve the public service delivery system – is seeking to emphasise to the people the concept of “One government, many agencies.”

Normah said that for now, if members of the public call in hoping to get some information about another agency, the staff should be able to give them some basic information about the other agency.

Complaints about being passed around from one telephone connection to another or shuffled between different counters are among the most frequent grouses from the people concerning the government’s public delivery system.

21 steps to a great retirement

The Star

GROW YOUR MONEY

In this final article on retirement planning, the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM) puts forward 21 recommendations to help Malaysians prepare for their future.

EDMOND Cheah, immediate past president of the FPAM says, “If we’re fortunate to live long enough, we all have to retire one day. So, make realistic decisions on the timing of your exit from the workforce.” Here are 21 steps to help you plan well for the golden years.

1. Face your future honestly

Extensive retirement studies show that those who exercise control over when they retire live happier lives than those who wait to be put out to pasture by others.

It is important to not make dangerous assumptions about the future. U Chen Hock, President of the FPAM observes, “Malaysians generally still harbour expectations of their children looking after them in retirement. However, I advise parents to be pragmatic in planning for their children’s education to the extent they can afford it without jeopardising their own retirement funding plan.” Of course, there is no harm in aiming to tilt the odds in your favour (see recommendation 18)!

2. Exercise delayed gratification

Financial planner Rajen Devadason says, “Those who adopt a delayed gratification mentality early in life often discover a decade down the road that this mindset is the most dependable key to future wealth.”

3. Start yesterday, failing which start today

The time value of money tells us money today is worth more than the same amount tomorrow. This is best understood by realising RM1,000 today will be worth RM1,030 one year from now if it is deposited in a 3% one-year fixed deposit (FD) account. This ability of money to snowball over time is termed compounding. Mike Lee, managing director of CTLA Financial Planners Sdn Bhd, says, “Compounding your savings and your returns early in life is always a better strategy than hoping to catch up later.”

4. Save your money

Two effective ways to save money are to first set aside savings before allowing any other outflows each time you receive your salary, and second, to manage your cash flow effectively.

Even those who have let time slip by can benefit from saving money. Wong Loke Lim, honorary secretary of the FPAM, explains: “While it’s obviously better to start saving early, it is never too late to start even if you’re already close to retirement. This is because every ringgit saved will help cover retirement expenses.”

5. Teach yourself about financial planning

Take personal responsibility for educating yourself about financial planning. The bookstores are filled with awesome resources. Cheah says, “It is vital that those who are serious about succeeding in retirement begin thinking and reading about it as early as possible.”

6. Write down your goals

Retirement specialist Devadason says, “Over many years of consulting, I’ve discovered that my most successful clients have goals that are clearly written in personal, positive and present tense terms.” It is therefore wise to write down your own retirement planning goals in the same way.

7.Fine-tune your preferred future on paper

The earlier you begin writing down your dreams for the perfect retirement, the more time you will have to tweak those aspirations into concrete written goals. It is important that personal control is exercised in this matter. FPAM honorary secretary Wong says: “Loneliness, loss of respect, expensive medical bills – these are just some possible negative aspects of retirement which must be taken care of.”

As for the financial dimension, Cheah elaborates, Be practical; know that you will have to compromise and adapt to possible changes to your lifestyle.”

8. Beef up your net worth

Your net worth is measured by your net worth statement. This lists all your assets and all your liabilities. If you total each column, the difference between assets and liabilities is your net worth. In corporate terms this is equivalent to a company’s net book value. We should focus on boosting our store of productive assets that generate passive income for us in the form of dividends, rental and interest. At the same time, we should eliminate all forms of bad debt that suck up our financial resources.

9. Create your own pension

Some government servants can look forward to a lifetime public sector pension that’s equal to half of their final drawn salary. Others contribute to EPF, just as most private sector workers do. K.P Bose Dasan, Securities Commission-licensed financial planner with Standard Financial Planner Sdn Bhd, maintains, “Retirees must have a pension. No pension, no retirement!” So, those without a government pension must take personal responsibility for creating their own. Devadason says, “The goal for everyone should be to proactively create multiple sources of income from investments and, perhaps, privately-held businesses to channel through a future pipeline of passive income.”

10. Purchase appropriate life insurance

Ultimately, people should aim to be self-insured. But the road toward such a large level of wealth is not easy. Along the way, those who are gradually building their net worth (see recommendation 8) ought to ensure they’re managing disability and premature mortality risk appropriately. Michael Tan Lib Chau, CEO of RHB Unit Trust Management, says: “Besides setting aside some savings for investment, it is also crucial to protect the loss of earning capacity. In other words I would encourage them to seriously look at life insurance coverage.” Toward that end, many financial planners believe a “buy term and invest the difference” approach is the most cost-effective route.

However, the danger lies in a possible lack of discipline being exhibited by some adherents of D-I-Y financial planning: They might choose to buy relatively cheap term life policies but then squander the rest of the money. In many cases, then, it would be wise to work with a reputable financial planner

11. Prepare for future inflation

A major factor in retirement funding calculations is future inflation. Saving money in the bank, while a great initial step toward financial freedom, is unlikely to generate returns greater than inflation. Therefore, focus on educating yourself on the damaging effects of inflation and the need to accept some level of investment risk.

12. Manage your investment risk

It is unwise to take on so much investment risk that you lose sleep and begin to develop ulcers. On the other hand, accepting too little investment risk is likely to hurt your long-term portfolio returns. Educate yourself to gradually elevate your risk appetite to at least moderate levels. Tan Beng Wah, CEO of CIMB Wealth Advisors Bhd, explains why the quanta of accepted risk should change with age: “In funding for retirement, the investor may start with an aggressive portfolio, then switch to a moderate one half way toward retirement, and then to a conservative portfolio when he or she is a few years from retirement.”

Knowing how to do this wisely requires either active self-education or the help of a trusted advisor or, preferably, both.

13. Enslave your money

Don’t always work for your money. Make it work for you. Steve L. H. Teoh, deputy president of the FPAM, notes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail!” This piece of advice is relevant to those entering retirement. Teoh explains, “From that point on, the wealth a person has accumulated throughout his working life will now have to work for him instead.” The larger that pool of resources and the harder it works for the retiree, the better the quality of life in retirement.

14. Hone your career skills

Do what you can today to extend your employability through enhanced skills development.

15. Target greater tax efficiency

Bose, a tax specialist, notes, “To retire well, you have to accumulate a healthy sum in your retirement portfolio. It helps, therefore, to take advantage of all possible tax incentives available in Malaysia.” A tax specialist in retirement planning can be of great value in this endeavour.

16. Tame the credit beast

Unnecessary interest spent on consumer debt instruments, particularly credit cards, sucks money away from possible retirement plans. Manage your total liability situation well.

17. Aim to be debt-free

While there is such a thing as good debt that ends up enriching us, most people are wired in such a way as to benefit from living a debt-free life. Therefore, if the prospect of one day becoming free of all liabilities appeals to you, make it a written goal and then act in a manner consistent with that desire. Teoh says, “Work toward attaining zero gearing in as short a period as is practical. Certainly settle all credit card monthly dues promptly and in full! Remember, there is always a cost to borrowing.” He recommends settling all liabilities by age of 50, or earlier.

18. Train your children well

In the decades ahead, it will be difficult for even the most filial of children to fully fund their parents’ retirement needs. But if you are able to instil even a partial sense of responsibility in your children as they mature, you might be able to derive a steady, modest flow of income from them. This possibility should not in any way alleviate your own responsibility for funding your own retirement through intelligent saving and investing.

19. Clarify your legacy

Write a will. Consult a reputable will writer or a lawyer familiar with probate matters. Ong Eu Jin, chief operating officer and director of OSK Trustees, and author of Can Wealth Last Three Generations, says: “It is important to have a will. Also, parents with minor children should consider creating a testamentary trust under their will.” Such a trust may be used to set aside specified liquid assets like bank deposits, unit trust funds and life insurance proceeds to meet children’s maintenance and education requirements in the event of an untimely demise by one or both parents.”

20. Make a difference

Aim to retire from work, not from life! Always focus on continuing to live a life of significance. This requires careful long range planning.

21. Engage the right financial planner

Sue Yong, executive director of Equity Trust (Malaysia) Bhd, notes, “To enhance your chances of succeeding in retirement, focus on building a good working relationship with a financial planner for the long-term. Such a professional may also act as a coach when we have gone astray from the agreed plan.” Financial planner Ken Lo of Money Concepts Corporation adds, “Because most people have little time, discipline, knowledge or expertise to manage their own financial affairs, they need to work with professionals to reach their financial goals.”

The first step in becoming adept at financial planning is focusing on self-education. That commitment alone will help most people enormously. For those who might want to pursue things further, please visit FPAM’s website at www.fpam.org.my for a free downloadable copy of “Insights to Choosing A Financial Planner” as well as to search and access the directory listing for licensed and qualified financial planners.

‘Stop asking for transfers’

NST

KOTA KINABALU: Stop seeking transfers if you are posted to rural areas, said the education minister. This was Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s call to teachers who did not want to teach in far-flung regions, or those who declined to be sent to other states.

"Competition to get into training colleges is stiff. There are so many applications but not everyone can get in. Some try six times and still don’t get accepted. Those who do should be willing to be sent to schools which need them, even if they are far away.

"I’ve told (Sabah education director) Normah (Gagoh) that those who want transfers should be sent to a rural area in another state, if they don’t want to go where we ask them to go. Our children will be sidelined without an education," he said when addressing gra-duates from four teachers training colleges at their joint convocation at a hotel here yesterday.

A total of 540 teachers graduated from the Kent (Tuaran), Keningau, Tawau and Gaya (Kota Kinabalu) training colleges.
Later, Hishammuddin, when asked if the situation of teachers not willing to be posted to rural areas was serious, said better infrastructure and benefits, such as allowances, had led to an improvement in the situation.

"In the past, we did not recognise limitations teachers faced in rural areas but today, there are incentives for them.

"It is not a major problem (seeking transfers). If some teachers don’t want to be posted to another state, for instance, we need to find out why. If it is because of financial reasons, such as a low allowance, then it will be difficult for us to compete in a borderless world.

"If we don’t want to move to another state, how do we compete with China, New Zealand and other countries?"

Hishammuddin, who said some graduates who received their scrolls yesterday had been posted to Peninsular Malaysia, also asked each graduate how life was like at his new posting.

"I spoke to each of them as they came to get their scrolls. I want to know first-hand the types of problems they faced. In the three hours I spent doing that, I found out about projectors that could not run because there was no power supply and which schools relied on generator sets."

On his ministry’s plan to make sure schools in the country received electricity and water supply by the end of this year, he said: "Water supply is on schedule but we have hit a snag with providing electricity due to the rising cost of diesel.

"We are looking at installing solar hybrid panels as an alternative. We are targeting to solve the issue by March."

Image of teachers at stake

NST

KOTA KINABALU: The image of the teaching profession is at stake following the harsh punishment meted out to secondary students of a boarding school in Sibu.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he viewed the incident seriously as it would affect the image of the profession.

"We will not compromise on discipline, irrespective of whether they are wardens, teachers, students or education officers," he said after attending the Sabah zone teachers’ training institute’s convocation here yesterday.

The ministry will investigate claims that 200 students were forced to squat in a murky fish pond as punishment for throwing a used sanitary pad into the toilet bowl.

Sabah Assistant Minister in charge of Education Datin Fatimah Abdullah said, "It is not right for the warden to do that.

"Squatting in murky water is definitely not listed in the school’s guidelines on enforcing discipline."

Meanwhile, Sarawak Tea- chers’ Union president William Ghani Bina described the punishment as "overboard and dangerous".

Though in principle it was good to discipline students, the punishment meted out was excessive and could pose a health risk to the students.